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Health Tip

Smoking and Pregnancy: A Bad Mix

A recent Finish study (1) found a positive association between mothers that smoked during pregnancy and the development of schizophrenia in their children. Previous research has shown that smoking while pregnant can cause serious physical problems, such as premature birth, birth defects and even infant death. This study, however, makes a connection between a mother smoking and her baby’s mental health. So the best for both the physical and mental health of an upcoming baby is to quit.

Need a little more motivation to stop smoking? Here are a few benefits of quitting:

• “Your baby will get more oxygen, even after just one day of not smoking.
• There is less risk that your baby will be born too early.
• There is a better chance that your baby will come home from the hospital with you.
• You will be less likely to develop heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic lung disease, and other smoke-related diseases.
• You will be more likely to live to know your grandchildren.
• You will have more energy and breathe more easily.
• Your clothes, hair, and home will smell better.
• Your food will taste better.
• You will have more money that you can spend on other things.
• You will feel good about what you have done for yourself and your baby.” (2)